5 Tips For RVing With Pets

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5 Tips For RVing With Pets

Americans love their RVs and their pets, so it’s no surprise that many RV owners wouldn’t think of embarking on a camping journey without their beloved pet. In fact, according to a recent Recreational Vehicle Industry Association survey, 61% of RV owners regularly travel with their pets.

One of the advantages of traveling in an RV travel is it provides consistency for your pet while away from home by allowing it to sleep in the same location every night. Once your pet becomes familiar with the new environment, it will come to consider your RV as another home. You can speed up this process by spending time with your pet in the RV while it’s parked at home, allowing it to explore and become familiar with the sights, sounds and smells on the inside.

To ensure a fun and safe RV trip with your pet, try the following techniques:

1. Plan a pet-friendly itinerary.

Not all camper or RV sites permit pets, so make sure every stop on your journey has a pet-friendly policy. An online search will easily identify places that accept pets.

2.Know the rules.

Pet rules and regulations can vary widely from site to site. For example, some will allow pets only in the camping area and not on hiking trails, while others have a “pets can go anywhere” policy. Some will charge an extra fee for having a pet or will not allow certain breeds. Calling ahead to confirm each site’s policies will avoid any last-minute surprises and help ensure an uneventful stay for you and your pet.

3. Pack appropriate pet gear.

Make a list of everything your pet will need on the trip, from food and treats, dinner bowls and bedding to ID tags, favorite toys, and any needed medications. Check off every item on the list before hitting the road, and don’t forget to bring along plenty of doggie bags to clean up after your pet.

4.Secure your pet while driving.

To keep your pet safe while driving, always secure it with a sturdy seat belt or harness – no exceptions. This will protect your pet in the event of an accident, and keep it from distracting the driver, which could result in a crash. Also, never place your pet in any vehicle being towed behind your RV.

5. Prepare for the unexpected.

Pets can easily get lost in unfamiliar places, so make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and its tags are current. In particular, the tags should have your cell phone number so people can contact you if necessary. For your pet’s comfort and safety as well as your own, treat your pet for ticks and fleas before embarking on your journey. If you have to leave your pet alone in the RV for any length of time, make sure they have plenty of food, water, a place to do their business and, most of all, proper ventilation or air conditioning.

Finally, remember to be a considerate neighbor while at your campsite. It only takes bad behavior by one pet to ruin the experience for a lot of people. So be sure to keep barking and other pet noise to a minimum, obey leash laws, and always clean up after your pet!